Singapore Launches Second Victory-Class Multi-Role Combat Vessel RSS Valour
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) launched RSS Valour, the second vessel in its six-ship Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) program, at ST Engineering’s Benoi Shipyard on 23 July 2026. The ceremony was attended by Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam, Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing, Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Aaron Beng and Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat.
Vessel Specifications
At roughly 8,000 tonnes displacement, the Victory-class MRCV is the largest and most complex surface combatant the RSN has ever fielded. It is designed to serve as a “mothership” for unmanned aerial, surface and underwater systems. Advanced automation allows the ship to operate safely and effectively with a smaller crew than comparable vessels.
Program Timeline
Valour is the second of six planned MRCVs, with deliveries to begin progressively from 2028. The vessel is currently undergoing outfitting and integration trials, while pioneer crew training continues ahead of future operationalization.
Regional Significance
The Victory-class program marks Singapore’s shift from crewed missile corvettes toward automation-heavy combatants built around unmanned-system integration. Amid ongoing South China Sea tensions, it stands as a notable data point in the wider Indo-Pacific naval modernization race.
